Concrete-block machine.



I PATENTEQ APR. 9, 1907.

A. C. THOMAS. CONCRETE BLOCK MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED HAY 19, 1906.

www

co.. wAsnma'ruN. n, c.

UNrrnn sfrafr'ns PATENT UFFTQE.

CONCRETE-BLOCK MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 9, 1907.

Application filed May 19,1906. Serial No. 317,844.

for molding a block or' unique construction and means for ejecting the block from the mold.

The invention specifically comprises a mold formed with movable walls, which at the completion of the molding operation are disassembled to allow the removal oi the block from the mold through the agency ci the ejector.

The detailed construction will appear en l the course of the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this speciiication, like numerals designating like parts throughout the several views, wherein- Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a machine constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section taken through the mold and showing the arrangement of the constituent parts thereof, together with the block-ejecting device 5 and Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the same.

In the practical embodiment of my invention I employ a suitable mold-support comprising a table 1, Supported upon vertical legs 2. The mold proper' is mounted upon table 1 and comprises stationary verti l,al sides 3, arranged in spaced parallel relation and supported from said table by connection with angular securing-slips L1. The mold further comprises a rear end wall 5, coextensive in height with the side walls 3, and a liront end wall 6, of less height than the walls 3.

The mold, as shown, is especially designed for the formation of blocks comprising parallel extended members united by a diagonal or transverse web, and to this end in the formation of a block of such contour the side Walls 3 are curved along a portion of their front edges, as at 7, and the space between said curved portion 7 is closed by a curved front wall 8, suitably hinged, as at 9, to the wall 6. The bottom of the mold is constituted of a movable pallet 10, which for the sake of lightness is preferably made hollow and has its upper face shaped to con'lorm to the contour oi one oi the laces of the block to be produced. rThe pallet l O 'lits snugly within the meld and has its edges in contacting relation with the adjacent mold sides, so as to preventthe escape er dislodgment of the plastic material. The pallet rests loosely upon a follower 12, movable within the mol dbody, and carried upon the end ci a movable red 13, extending through the table 1. The rod 13 is guided in its vertical movement by its passage through a transverse brace 111, secured to the cross-arms 15, which unite legs 2. The mold 'further comprises a top 1G hinged, as at 17, to one oi" the side walls 3. The iront wall S is secured in its closed position by resilient or other suitable catches 18, carried upon the respective side walls 3 and positively engaging the wall S.

The means Yfor moving the rod 13 comprises suitable connecting elements operated by a hand-lever 1S). The transverse brace 14 is provided with rearward extensions 20, which are formed with integral collars 21, surrounding the cross-arms 15 and adjustably held thereon b v a set-screw 22 engaging said cross-arms. The collars 21 are formed with apertured brackets 23, arranged adjacent each cross-arm 15 in alined relation and serving as bearings ier a transversely-journaled rock-shaft 24, which carries at one of its ends an upstanding socket 25 for the reception ol` the lever 19. The rod 13 is directly actuated through the medium of toggle-links 26 and 27, having pivotal connection with one another, as at 2S. The link 26 is rigidly carried by the shaft 24, and the linl' 27 has pivotal connection at its end, as at 29, with a collar 30, sleeved upon the rod 13 and adjustably positioned thereon by a set-screw 31.

In practical use the parts of the mold are relatively disposed, as shown in Fig. 1, wherein the iront wall S and the top 16 are open. The pallet 10 is introduced into the mold and rests upon the plate 12, and the lront wall S is moved to close upon the mold. Plastic material is introduced into the mold until the latter is illed, and the material is then tamped. The top 16 is then closed upon the material, and the latter is allowed to set. The block produced will possess the dimensions and conliguration of the space between the pallet 10 and the walls of the mold.

W hen the material has become set, the top l 16 is opened and the iront wall S moved to IOC rob

IIO

the position of Fig. i, so that an unobstructbe molded and to be moved away from said ed passage is le t through the top of the mold for the removal of the block therefrom. This operation is eected by moving the lever 19 in the proper direction, rocking the shaft 24 and through the medium of the connecting toggle-links 26 and 27 raising the rod 13 vertically, which lifts the plate l2 and the pallet l0 to a point above the mold, whereby the block produced may be removed from said pallet in any desired manner.

The disclosure of some of the elements of the invention is purely arbitrary and is to be regarded in the light of example rather than of enumeration. F or instance, the form of the pallet, the general contour of the mold, and the mode of operation of the blockjecting device may be varied or altered to suit the eXigencies of existing circumstances and uses.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the various component parts are made of iron for the purpose of adding strength and durability to the structure.

Having fully described my invention, I claim- 1. A block-molding machine comprising a mold-box and a vertically-movable pallet therein, said pallet comprising two horizontal sections arranged in diilerent vertical planes and joined by a connecting member, the said horizontal sections extending in opposite directions from said planes, and said mold-box having a movable portion adapted to overlie the lower pallet-section and be rigidly held in such position When the said box is larranged Jfor the reception of material to position when the molded material is to be removed from said boX.

2. A blockmolding machine lcomprising a mold-box and a movable pallet therein, said mold-box having a curved movable portion arranged at one end thereof and adapted to overlie said pallet and be rigidly held in such position when the said box is arranged for the reception of material to be molded and to give shape to a portion of' the top of the block molded in said machine.

3. A block-molding machine comprising a stationary rectangular mold-box formed With four rigid lateral Walls, a curved inwardly-extending Wall-section pivoted to one of said Walls and When in its closed position engaging portions of the adjacent side Walls to produce a mold having a portion thereof covered over at the top to give shape to a portion of the top of the block to be molded in said boX, said pivoted Wall-section being adapted to be thrown out of engagement with said side Walls, and means movable Within said stationary Walls for vertically ejecting a block from the mold When the pivoted Wall-section is out of engagement With the said Walls, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afHX my signature in presence of tWo Witnesses.

AUGUSTUS O. THOMAS.

lVitnesses:

MILDRED S. JOHNSON, VIRGINIA MERCER. 

